The Charlotte Bobcats vs. the LA Lakers 2/3/10

The Bobcats fumbled away an in-bounds pass with 9 seconds on the clock giving Jordon Farmar a dunk. Flip Murray then hit a long 3 pointer, (needed to tie the score when the Bobcats fumbled their inbound), ending the game with a (99-97) lose to the Lakers. Give the Lakers credit for intense defense against a team that had beaten them the last two visits to their building. The ‘Cats again were led by Stephen Jackson who was the game high scorer with 30 points. Nazr Mohammed also chipped in with a season high 23 points to go with 17 rebounds. The Bobcats managed to do this with All-Star Gerald Wallace side-lined with a sore hamstring.

The bench played solid second quarter minutes, allowing the ‘Cats starters much needed rest, as both teams played intense defense throughout the game. Kobe Bryant was held to 5 points for the game. This ends an eleven day (six game) road-trip for the Bobcats. I would call it a solid road-trip for a couple of points. The team doubled their road victories, (from 3 to 6), while playing only one really bad quarter (the fourth at Portland). It would have been “icing-on-the-cake” for the ‘Cats to pull this one out but it just did not happen. The Bobcats remain as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. The ‘Cats return home to play a Hornets team missing their injured star, Chris Paul.

Game Summary:

First quarter action favored the Bobcats (21-19) with good defense from both teams. Raymond had a solid first quarter leading all scorers with 9 points. Boris Diaw had to leave quickly with two first quarter fouls. Charlotte limited their TO’s to 3 for the quarter. A very solid team effort (except B. Diaw) with your All-Star (G. Wallace) side-lined.

It was a very interesting start to the second quarter with all Bobcat starters, except S. Jackson, getting breathers. Jackson also left midway through the period for a break. D. Brown, F. Murray, and D. Diop playing needed minutes off the bench to get the starters rest. The ‘Cats lost the quarter, 30-26, going into the half trailing by 2 points. The bench played solid defense and certainly kept the team in the game. Diop was very active with 7 rebounds in his 12:45 minutes of play for the half. Kobe Bryant had an ankle twist right before the quarter ended. S. Jackson and A. Bynum both had 12 points to lead all scorers at the half.

K. Bryant returned to start the second half. The Bobcats defense continued to make Bryant a non-factor holding him to 5 points through three quarters. The Lakers won the quarter, (23-20), to extend their lead by 5 points. B. Diaw took himself out of the game again with another two fouls (4 for the game).

Fourth quarter action remained intense for both teams. The Lakers managed to put up their largest lead (7 points) but the Bobcats kept fighting back. A fumbled in-bounds pass at the 9 second mark denied the ‘Cats an opportunity to try and tie the game.

The Good:

Nazr Mohammed with his third double-double of the season.

Stephen Jackson scored 30 points against a very tough Laker defense.

K. Bryant was held to 5 points for the game!

Solid road-trip (3-3) after only 3 prior road wins.

Team defense was solid throughout the game.

Solid bench play when needed.

The Bad:

TO’s…13…but too many happened at key points in the game!

The Putrid:

Boris Diaw took himself out of the game for three quarters with four fouls. Diaw also had zero points and played poor defense for the 25 minutes he managed to stay in the game. Will this guy every be a positive factor again in a game? Will he ever step-up (G. Wallace side-lined and the team needed him) his game when his teammates need him?

Next game for the Bobcats: Saturday 2/6/10 7:00pm vs. the NO Hornets